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Member Since: 11/2005Last Seen: 11/04/2009
102 Comments
PrintRandom Act of Vineness: Oldfogey
News Type: Event — Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:27 PM EDT
Ohio State Flag
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One of our very own Newsviner members, Oldfogey, has successfully entered a bid to run for US Congress as Representative for the 18th District in Ohio. Oldfogey, running as Jerry Firman, will be on the ballot for the Special Republican Primary to take place on September 14th, 2006. The winner of this primary election will take the place of Bob Ney, who has decided to withdraw from the general election, and will face the Democrat frontrunner in November of this year.
A resident of Coshocton, Ohio, Oldfogey came to Newsvine and quickly learned to enjoy himself here. Many of us found his unusual charm and approach to writing to be both pleasant and thought provoking. At a venerable 70 years of age, he found his way onto many of our watchlists in short order. Whether by taking out newspaper ads to publicize his Newsvine column in his own town, or by writing open letters to Bill Gates or the Newsvine Community, Oldfogey has always conveyed a candid and personable voice. Oldfogey offers the best account of how his aspirations for public office manifested themselves:
I must admit that running for any office or even thinking of politics was very far from my mind when I first started to write on Newsvine. Newsvine got me off my duff and made me realize I should be doing something for my friends and neighbors instead of mowing grass and going to Texas for the winter.
If it hadn't been for Newsvine and the good people I have met here, I would not be considering a political post.
12 years ago, Oldfogey sold a small newspaper, the Coshocton Free Enterpriser. His experience as a publisher is likely what attracted him to Newsvine as platform for syndication. However, he soon discovered the rich community here and has grown to love the people and the discussions that went far beyond the technology of Newsvine. His story is as exciting as it is inspiring and serves as a reminder that Newsvine is not just a site with many cool features - but it is a tool that is limited only by the imagination of its users.
Perhaps the democratization of content and commentary is what prompted Oldfogey to start thinking that his voice could be heard and that he could make a positive difference in his local community. Or maybe the responses to his articles published on Newsvine compelled him to ponder whether others in his state would find his thinking more down to earth and reasonable than that offered by the politicians in his state. Whatever the motivation, Oldfogey has decided to do something to improve the lives of his fellow citizens and we think that's Sweet Fennel.
So, while we have had the policy of not allowing self promotion on the site, this case is an exception. Oldfogey is not a career politician who has added a Newsvine column to his arsenal of campaign initiatives; he's a homegrown product of the intellectual development that is at the heart of what makes Newsvine special (i.e., Get Smarter Here). Through his participation on Newsvine, Oldfogey has indeed influenced the news, by being the first Newsvine user to appear in an AP article.
We at Newsvine hereby recognize Oldfogey's efforts to perform his civic duty by awarding to him the Random Act of Vineness award, and also by supporting his bid to join the US Congress as a Representative from Ohio.
134 Votes- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
Published to:
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- Public Discussion (102)
What's this?
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has on the current conversation.
The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd
row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera).
Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group
is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the
left, in their corresponding group.
Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the
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one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their
relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.
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{"commentId":259873,"authorDomain":"rappo"}
Congratulations oldfogey! That award is much deserved.
And a very nice little biography as well.
{"commentId":259873,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"rappo"}
- 15 votes
#1 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:38 PM EDT{"commentId":259882,"authorDomain":"prompt"}
The coveted last vine leaf's requirements, or lack of as it may be, are seeming to become more noticeable. It is an award for doing something above and beyond which engages the community in some form. When the first Random Act of Vineness awards were handed out to TopJedi and Corey, the sentiment around Newsvine seemed to be that charity, or some other good will cause, would be required. However, with this latest granting of the award to OldFogey, we can see that it is an award that simply requires dedication to what one does in relation to the Vine, and truly cannot be won by an attempt to win it.
OldFogey, I noticed you quite early in your adventure here on Newsvine, and have yet to see anything which put me off from liking you. From your writing style, which has the ability to turn mundane and boring topics into interesting ones, to your personality which is full of love and life. I could continue writing my, and others I'm sure, thanks to you; however, I know one line that you are quite familiar with, which puts it all together:
Thank you for being here.
{"commentId":259882,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"prompt"}
- 15 votes
#2 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:44 PM EDT{"commentId":261156,"authorDomain":"farmer"}
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
I am using the above sign in an attempt to help people navigate my answers to this article and its comments more easily. I will be bunching Newsviners above each of my comments. The fact that this reply is in Jon's box does not imply that I am not also answering Alec. In order to save time, I will allow minor errors to be posted. With that, I thank all of you. In Jon's case he better say nice things if he wants me to support him on the way to being Prime Minister.
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
{"commentId":261156,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"farmer"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":259884,"authorDomain":"morwynd"}
Just curious... this article identifies him as "Jerry Firman", while the AP article linked at the bottom mentions a "Samuel Firman of Coshocton County". Which is correct?
{"commentId":259884,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"morwynd"}
- 1 vote
#3 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:44 PM EDT{"commentId":259897,"authorDomain":"tang"}
oldfogey has informed me that he will appear on the September ballot as 'Jerry Firman'. So, I went with that!
{"commentId":259897,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"tang"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":259949,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
Samuel "Jerry" Firman.
{"commentId":259949,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":260111,"authorDomain":"djehuty"}
I liked the way you named him "oldfogey who will be appearing as Jerry Firman". Clearly your priorities are right, Calvin - oldfogey is his real name ;)
Congratulations oldfogey and well deserved!!
{"commentId":260111,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"djehuty"}
- 11 votes
{"commentId":260238,"authorDomain":"morwynd"}
Samuel "Jerry" Firman.
Don't you mean Samuel Jerry "Oldfogey" Firman?
Hey, ya know, "Oldfogey Firman" has a nice alliterative ring to it. I smell a slogan. ;)
{"commentId":260238,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"morwynd"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":259886,"authorDomain":"darkside"}
Congratulations you old fogey!
{"commentId":259886,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"darkside"}
- 6 votes
#4 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:45 PM EDT{"commentId":261169,"authorDomain":"farmer"}
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
You can call me Sam, you can call me Jerry, you can call me to dinner......Just call me. Old Fogey is my writing name, but lots of local folks call me that all the time.
{"commentId":261169,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"farmer"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":259887,"authorDomain":"marilynl"}
Yes, oldfogey, very much deserved award. You manage to speak to both left and right with respect, knowledge, and humor, which we might all learn from. Great choice, Newsvine folks!
{"commentId":259887,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"marilynl"}
- 13 votes
#5 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:46 PM EDT{"commentId":259891,"authorDomain":"ballew74"}
Good job and good luck oldfogey keep it up the great work. Thank to newsvine also for giving oldfogey the ever elusive RAoV ( random act of vineness) award. Congratulations oldfogey.
{"commentId":259891,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"ballew74"}
- 8 votes
#6 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:48 PM EDT{"commentId":259895,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
If Newsvine is evolving into a sort of cyber-tribe, oldfogey is shaping up as our tribal elder. A true citizen journalist who also creates news! Way to go, oldfogey; congratulations and Woo Hoo!
{"commentId":259895,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
- 11 votes
#7 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:50 PM EDT{"commentId":259896,"authorDomain":"paulinebrock"}
Super choice. Way to go, OldFogey and Newsvine.
{"commentId":259896,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"paulinebrock"}
- 5 votes
#8 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:50 PM EDT{"commentId":259909,"authorDomain":"aine"}
I'll second that.
Congratulations, Sam. :)
{"commentId":259909,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"aine"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":259907,"authorDomain":"celestina"}
Yea!!!
Congratulations, Oldfogey! I agree with Newsvine staff that this is a whole 'nother thing than self-promotion...this is inspiration to us all. With all the griping that goes on around here to "offer a solution", you have done more than that and actively tried to become part of the solution. Thanks so much.
{"commentId":259907,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"celestina"}
- 6 votes
#10 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:57 PM EDT{"commentId":259921,"authorDomain":"stacym"}
Oh wow, this is really neat. Congratulations, OldFogey!
{"commentId":259921,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"stacym"}
- 4 votes
#11 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:07 PM EDT{"commentId":261174,"authorDomain":"farmer"}
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
If you saw me running around here in my grass skirt you would never want me to be tribal chief. There are many problems and few solutions in the real world, Newsvine is solutions looking for problems. I have never been to concerned about problems, most executives, managers, etc., would never have a job if it weren't for problems.
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
{"commentId":261174,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"farmer"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":259926,"authorDomain":"merrydeath"}
the old fogey writes
insight wise and generous
we all get smarter
congratulations. :)
{"commentId":259926,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"merrydeath"}
- 8 votes
#12 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:10 PM EDT{"commentId":259959,"authorDomain":"rutty"}
Oldfogey deserves
the random act of vineness.
Thanks for being here
Well done!
{"commentId":259959,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"rutty"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":259982,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
haikus are funny
you try to make the words fit
but they don't aardvark
{"commentId":259982,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
- 14 votes
{"commentId":260117,"authorDomain":"djehuty"}
running on old feet
never underestimate
wisdom and kind heart
:)
{"commentId":260117,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"djehuty"}
- 7 votes
{"commentId":260138,"authorDomain":"celestina"}
the mind cannot age
unless the heart stops seeing
flowers under snow
{"commentId":260138,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"celestina"}
- 9 votes
{"commentId":260174,"authorDomain":"ansab"}
Old Fogey is cool
But not as cool as Ansab
Ansab is the best
{"commentId":260174,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"ansab"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":260420,"authorDomain":"darkside"}
Fogey or Firman?
alliteration always
messes with myk's head.
{"commentId":260420,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"darkside"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":261128,"authorDomain":"irma"}
on this occasion let me just say dear representative, fellow viners' ongoing praise genuinly is earned by you
thank you
{"commentId":261128,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"irma"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":261130,"authorDomain":"irma"}
Aargh, I knew it wasn't a haiku, but it did look pretty before Newsvine ate my returns.
{"commentId":261130,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"irma"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":261135,"authorDomain":"gregh"}
on this occasion let me just say dear representative, fellow viners' ongoing praise genuinly is earned by you
{"commentId":261135,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"gregh"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":261136,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
Greg -- that's a pretty blatant copyright violation. Be on the lookout for a cease-and-desist.
;)
{"commentId":261136,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":261137,"authorDomain":"gregh"}
I've been wanting to try that out.
Use pre and /pre :)
{"commentId":261137,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"gregh"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":261145,"authorDomain":"irma"}
Sometimes it happens, sometimes the Newsvine monster isn't hungry. Perhaps it has a preference for spelling errors though :-)
{"commentId":261145,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"irma"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":261187,"authorDomain":"farmer"}
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
Haiku, alliteration, tintinabulism, just words, words that ring, words that sing, words that mean the world to me. I hope the others will forgive me if I mention you, Irma, talk about inspiration. You have been mine since you made that pass at me in the chat room.
Just to show you I can, this is my very first poem in the world, it was written to my sweetheart when she was 14 and I 16.
Two Hearts Afire
To Speak For Each
Two Lips Conspire
In Silent Speech - circa 1952
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
{"commentId":261187,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"farmer"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":259927,"authorDomain":"denniswright"}
Well done 'fogey and richly deserved.
And good luck in the ballot!
{"commentId":259927,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"denniswright"}
- 4 votes
#13 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:11 PM EDT{"commentId":259939,"authorDomain":"jumier"}
I don't even think that becoming a member of congress can top this honor. =P
Congratulations Oldfogey!
{"commentId":259939,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"jumier"}
- 3 votes
#14 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:18 PM EDT{"commentId":259940,"authorDomain":"killfile"}
As long as he continues to post to the 'Vine once he's on the Hill....
{"commentId":259940,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"killfile"}
- 10 votes
#15 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:18 PM EDT{"commentId":259950,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
Go oldfogey!
{"commentId":259950,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
- 4 votes
#16 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:21 PM EDT{"commentId":259973,"authorDomain":"chipster"}
Congrats Fogey. I'm proud of you.
{"commentId":259973,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"chipster"}
- 3 votes
#17 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:30 PM EDT{"commentId":260004,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}
w00t! Congrats, Oldfogey. A well-deserved award.
{"commentId":260004,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"redwolf"}
- 3 votes
#18 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:59 PM EDT{"commentId":260010,"authorDomain":"WriterX"}
Congrats oldfogey! I hope you win.
{"commentId":260010,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"WriterX"}
- 5 votes
#19 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:10 PM EDT{"commentId":260011,"authorDomain":"spring"}
Keep it up oldfogey!
{"commentId":260011,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"spring"}
- 6 votes
#20 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:10 PM EDT{"commentId":260025,"authorDomain":"zaki"}
this thread totally deserves a
w00t
{"commentId":260025,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"zaki"}
- 5 votes
#21 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:23 PM EDT{"commentId":260043,"authorDomain":"WriterX"}
Newsvine flash: Republicans, Democrats and Independents of Newsvine support odfogey. :)
{"commentId":260043,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"WriterX"}
- 17 votes
#22 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:47 PM EDT{"commentId":260082,"authorDomain":"phaedrus72"}
Yea, while the rest of us continue to fight amongst ourselves, oldfogey is actually putting action to words and actually doing something. I'm truly flabbergasted and just wish that I had that kind of gusto. Alas, I am just a truck driver with strong opinions. Way to go, oldfogey, I liked you from the very beginning, even when I didnt agree with you, cuz you always seemed to make me laugh. Congratulations.
{"commentId":260082,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"phaedrus72"}
- 10 votes
#23 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:39 PM EDT{"commentId":261200,"authorDomain":"farmer"}
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
Boy did the stars come out tonight. Every comment has a star. If friends were dollars I would be a millionaire. Course then why would I need friends? To borrow from once I returned from Las Vegas. (Phaedrus72, don't tell anyone, but I replied in your box on purpose. If you ever go out back with me I will wipe that smile right off.... Oh, gotta go, phone ringing...
SPECIAL NOTICE! SPECIAL NOTICE. SPECIAL NOTICE!
{"commentId":261200,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"farmer"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":260094,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
cripes... maybe I will run just to get my RAoV tick :-)
{"commentId":260094,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 3 votes
#24 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:50 PM EDT{"commentId":260110,"authorDomain":"horatiobunce"}
Congrats, I give you my full support.
{"commentId":260110,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"horatiobunce"}
- 2 votes
#25 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:16 PM EDT{"commentId":260129,"authorDomain":"jimdent"}
Well Done! And good luck.
{"commentId":260129,"threadId":"38109","contentId":"334627","authorDomain":"jimdent"}
- 1 vote
#26 - Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:48 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"38109","isPrivate":false}
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